4 Elements: Jewish Personality Typing

We all want to be great. Nobody sincerely thinks, “I want to be mediocre.” But every person is different, and the trick is to discover your own aspect of personal greatness.

Rabbi Chaim Vital, a great kabbalist who lived in Tzfat in the 15th century, writes that just as the world was created using four elements – earth, air, fire and water – so too, each person was created using those same elements. For each individual, one particular element is dominant and this, to a large degree, determines your essential strengths and weaknesses. Identifying your “element” will help reveal the area of spiritual development (“tikkun”) you need to do to achieve your own greatness.

Fire

Fire tends to rise, the flames reaching up and out to consume and conquer. The positive aspect of this element is the desire to strive and accomplish, to reach great heights, to lead and take responsibility. People who possess this dominant element are leaders and visionaries: They see the big picture and long-term ramifications. They are goal-oriented and ambitious.

On the other hand, there are common character flaws generating from the element of fire: arrogance, anger, criticism and condescension toward others, and the tendency to crave power and control.

Earth

Earth is low and heavy. It stays in one place, continuously stepped on and caught in gravity's domain. People who have more of this element tend toward laziness, sadness and despair. These are their main weaknesses. They have a heaviness about them, craving comfort and lack of effort. The main work in overcoming this flaw is pushing toward accomplishment and growth.

On the good side, however, these people don’t tend to get into power struggles. They are compliant, humble and willing to cooperate. They forgo and give in. They are good team players and are reliable and trustworthy, loyal and steadfast in their preferences and relationships.

Water

Water spreads and goes everywhere. It takes on the contours of whatever vessel contains it. It goes with the flow, literally, naturally unbound and unlimited, unrestricted. People with a “water” nature have an easy time giving, connecting with others, and spreading themselves to acquiesce to the needs of others. They tend to be friendly, flexible, outgoing and generous (even to a fault).

Their main weakness lies in a lack of self-restraint and pursuit of physical pleasures. They may at times veer toward immorality, thinking that normal restrictions in human behavior don’t apply to them.

Air

Air is the most complicated of the elements. It is fluff, ephemeral, seemingly non-existent. It blows one way and another, never fixed permanently anywhere, never taking a stand. It is invisible, and could be in one place when you think it is in another. Those with this dominant element tend to lack concern about the physical world. They may be more spiritual, idealistic, living in the world of ideas. They may have a yearning to transcend this world and connect with energies and non-tangible aspects of existence.

Their weakness involves the power of speech, which is also dependent upon air for its life-source. They tend toward meaningless chatter, gossip, flattery and deceit, able to manipulate the truth for their own gains. They may also have a hard time sticking to routine and order, as they subconsciously assume they can be everywhere at the same time.

Putting It All Together

If you can figure out which element plays a large part in your physical make-up, then you are ready to peer through a window to your spiritual, psychological strengths and weaknesses as well.

As an assignment to gain clarity on this subject, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, in his book Alei Shur suggests drawing out a “character trait circle.” It goes like this:

Draw a circle on a piece of paper. On the uppermost part of the circle, write down what you see as your most important quality, your biggest strength. At the bottom of the circle, put down your worst flaw or failing. Next to the trait at the top, to its left and right, fill in your positive character traits, your good qualities.

Gradually lower, toward the middle of the circle, place your traits which are neutral – not especially positive, but not entirely negative either. For example, traits like “talkative,” “visually oriented,” “emotional”, etc. could go either way.

As you near the bottom of your circle, fill in all your weaknesses, those traits that drag you down and keep you from reaching greatness.

Rabbi Shalom Noach Berzovsky, in his chassidic work, Nesivos Shalom, says we are each created with a special mission to accomplish in this world. To figure out what this mission is, look at the upper part of your circle for the things that come easily to you – the talents you have and the things you enjoy doing.

Another part of our purpose in this world is to fix something that is flawed, within us or in the world. This is called “tikkun.” To figure out this aspect of your purpose, look at the lower part of your circle and evaluate your weaknesses. What kinds of things cause you to fail, time and time again? What trips you up in relationships, at work, when you attempt any accomplishment? What is so difficult for you that it almost seems insurmountable?

It is these very character flaws which may be your raison d’etre – your life purpose, to overcome those flaws which are obstacles to your success, using your God-given talents, strengths, and the traits that come naturally to you.

Now look at your circle. You can see your strengths at the top of the circle, your flaws on the bottom. And ask yourself:

• How can I use my main talents and abilities to accomplish in life?

• Am I using my time effectively?

• Is much of my life spent doing things that are not so enjoyable to me?

• If I have leadership abilities, am I utilizing that talent, or am I basically a follower most of the time – in my career, at home, in my community?

Evaluate whether you can actually use your strengths to overcome your least favorite traits. As an example, consider the person who is a truth-seeker. He likes to investigate how the world and people operate. At the same time, he may be disorganized, a little flighty, and can’t stick to routine.

The solution might be the following: He or she could do some research about time management, the underlying causes of disorder and lack of routine, and the long-term ramifications of such behavior on people, on their relationships, on their life. Using your newfound knowledge, commit to working on improving in this area, or get a group together for a time-management course or workshop as the first step toward change.

Once you realize what you can do and what you need to change, the next crucial step is to articulate it clearly and succinctly. Write this out as your “personal mission statement,” tack it on the fridge… and go for it!

Excellent article Dina Coopersmith! One way to know more about yourself is to try different things. Walk a different path. Reach deep into your soul and develop more wisdom concerning the truth of who you are, and to change the things you must. I continuously do this. It is my strength. Glad to see that you based this on kabbalistic teachings.

(18)
Tova,
August 15, 2017 2:27 PM

Circle exercise

I tried the circle of personality traits. i had almost equal numbers of traits from each category. How do yo "rate"them? Are there other guides for doing this? I have always been fascinated by this concept. Thank you!

(17)
Yitzhak Zionberg,
February 23, 2017 2:56 PM

4 elements personality

Dear Rabbi, I know that we all have the 4 elements. I have been research on this topic. We would like to meet you to talk about this topic. We have excellent discoveries. Hope to hear about you. Best regards, Y.Z.

(16)
nikki,
March 4, 2014 1:42 AM

Im 11 years old and researching on Jues, i'm making a big poster all about judaism and presenting it infront of my class!

i really like your article.i'm really interested in learning more about myself. i am 21 yrs old, ffb and i have been struggling with this area in my past with out even realizing that i didn't really know myself. it has been hard for me and now i am able to come up with a list of qualities and stuff just it is a little hard for me to look at my traits and create a mission goal. i know that i needed to work on diff areas in my life just i never really improve that much i don't think that i really know how to pin point exactly what to do and how to strategize . i feel like i need more direction in this area. are there any suggested books i can read up on? thank you!

Ra'anan,
August 15, 2017 2:20 PM

Rabbi Pliskin has a book with an extensive lists of qualities

Rabbi Pliskin has a book with an extensive lists of qualities called "Gateway to Self Knowledge," but I don't know if it's still available.best,Ra'anan

(14)
SusanE,
February 13, 2010 1:19 AM

Take a Good Look at Your Surroundings

It's really tough to self-analyze. If you want to know a person inside, take a look at their personal surroundings. Notice their rooms in their home or their office space, or inside their automobile. That will tell you how organized or how chaotic their lives and minds are. Our homes and environments are a mirror of what is going on inside our heads.. Disorganized and cluttered home, is a disorganized and cluttered mind. Fairly orderly and structured surroundings can harbor a balanced and logical mind. There are 5 elements in Feng Shui. - Fire, Earth, Water, Wood and Metal. The idea is not to cancel out one element or to have an over abundance of another element. The idea is to balance all the elements so that none dominate, and that EACH element supports the others.. ---------------
-------------------------- Be careful tho' that you don't use your elements as an excuse for being workaholics, or lazy or indifferent to others needs. Many people excuse their own shortcomings with the phrase, "Well, I can't help it, that's just the way I am". ------------------Thanks for these thoughts today about the four elements. I think we each have all four in varying amounts. All four elements are good for each of us when they are in balance.

(13)
LEA,
February 10, 2010 9:30 PM

I am a student of reflexology, which is a therapy based mostly on analysing a person through these same elments.

we go very deeply into each element, helping ppl understand themselves very thoroughly.
It is sometimes a very big aid to other therapies like psychology.
I work with girls who have eating disorders, and i find reflexology and the elements very essential to their healing.
so go out and try it with an experienced reflexologist- its worth it!

(12)
Anonymous,
February 10, 2010 5:31 AM

Lurianic/Tzfath kabbalah: 16th c (1500s-) not 15th c (1400s)

Issac Luria and Hayyim Vital lived > 14th c.

(11)
Wassim,
February 9, 2010 12:19 PM

Too much fire in me

Yes, that's the point, not to concentrate on "your weaknesses", not to try to "get rid of them" so to speak, but rather to use your strengths to circumvent them. For example, I'm very ambitious and somewhat lazy too, so the two counter each other and I'm not as successful as I could be. I can't be bothered working on my side project on the weekend, I love my relaxation time so much I find it difficult to go to Shul on Saturday morning (I prefer to keep the Sabbath hole by myself :-) Rather than lament my "inability" to be more disciplined, I've begun working harder during the week. That way I don't feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing constructive (in society's eyes not mine) on the weekend. Obviously I'd be even more successful if I did some work on the weekend, but at what cost? Society says laziness is a weakness, I say it is necessary to relax if you work hard. Being a computer programmer, I find it hard to explain to my wife that while my work isn't "hard" in the traditional sense of the word (like manual labour), it is hard on my brain (queue the solo violin :-). And a brain like mine needs relaxation. It's the fruit of my labour, it's not a weakness to me.
Getting back to the 4 elements, fire is my dominant one, but I've got all the others in significant amounts. Does this mean I have multiple personality disorder? I wouldn't be surprised.

(10)
Rodolfo Carlos Rabonza,
February 9, 2010 9:14 AM

overcoming least favorite traits

I like how the article said it -- to overcome the least favorite traits with one's strengths. I have heard and read before about focusing on one's strengths and highlighting them. However, this article is suggesting to not leave the weak points behind, but rather use them as tools in polishing one's character.

(9)
Annette,
February 9, 2010 4:24 AM

go figure!

I just asked a major Rabbi about information on the 4 personality types but from a Torah perspective! he said 'it's out there'; not much is known even in the judaica stores; I hope you can provide more detailed information on this topic as it once turned my life around for the good. I seem to be needing it again, but this time I want it from a Torah perspective. Maybe suggest to the Aish branches to do some workshops on it???
Thank you

(8)
Blaine,
February 8, 2010 10:13 PM

A good composite?

My traits are a mixture of Water and Earth. Does that make me bascially Mud? :-(

(7)
Adam Neira,
February 8, 2010 3:03 PM

G-d's Purpose

Status anxiety is a real problem for many people. The unresolved issues of childhood whereby the individual craves acceptance, recognition and connection carry on to adulthood. One should derive value, purpose and strength in discovering what G-d expects of them. Too many people define themselves by what other's expect of them. This dynamic can act as a vortex whereby groupthink reduces one's hopes, ambitions and sense of self-value and deflates them to the lowest common denominator.
"We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves to be like other people." - Arthur Schopenhauer

(6)
Anonymous,
February 8, 2010 1:50 PM

Similar to the "Four Humours" of the ancient Greeks

Interesting article! Does this mean that the best defense against a dangerous "fire" personality is many water types ready to deploy?

(5)
Avraham Turetsky,
February 7, 2010 10:09 PM

I've literally done that

The example in your last three paragraphs applies to me verbatim. Although, thank God, I've managed to establish a successful track record both professionally and academically, I've always struggled with deadlines. After spending years trying to isolate what it was that fueled my war against the clock, I found many of the answers when I read "ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life" by Dr. Kathleen Nadeau. I proceeded to contact the author and a few months later she agreed to partner up with me in creating a time management software that would incorporate the strategies she outlined in the book. Fast forward three years. It's now been a year since we released a second version of this web-based time-management software for the chronically disorganized. While the functionality is terrific and intuitive, we are now working on jazzing up the interface itself (our previous version had the opposite problem - great visuals, but complicated functionality) and on creating an android version as well. If you're curious, you can check it out at http://www.skoach.com. It's funny how you gave that as an example - I don't know too many people that match not only the problem but also the solution you outlined down to the detail. Besides giving a plug for our product, I am writing this because this is a real life example of not only using one's strengths to fight one's weaknesses, but also of leveraging those weaknesses as if they were strengths.

Thank you for this great introductory article - I haven't found much else written about this concept from the Jewish perspective. Does Aish have other articles regarding personality type and successful interpersonal communication and relationships between different types? (ie. with spouse, employer, parents, etc.). Looking forward to reading lots more about this!